by Admin | May 20, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
You cannot help but fall in love with the current crop of Dodge vehicles. For example, the Dodge Caravan, currently in its fifth generation, is one of the most popular the US and Europe. However, your prized Dodge Caravan may experience shifting shuddering and harshness that you have no idea where it’s coming from.
The problem is quite common with the 2003 Caravan and usually episodic, but this should not cost you an arm and a leg. Dodge Grand Caravan comes equipped with the latest A604 (41TE) or 62TE transmission, but it is not without problems.
So what do you do about the Dodge Van shifting problem?
Solving Dodge Van Shifting Problems
The shifting shuddering and harshness are one of the most manifest signs that your vehicle’s automatic transmission needs a thorough inspection. Sweeping this problem under the carpet can lead to much larger issues with the auto’s transmission, and that is never what you want. Contact an experienced auto repair, and they will make the problem go away.
One of the quickest ways of solving the Dodge van shifting problem is to purchase a used transmission. Most of them that you find in junkyards come with between 30 and 90 days warranty. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine if the unit does not have the same problem as the one that you want to replace.
The second option is getting a rebuilt transmission from your local repair shop. However, this mostly depends on the expertise of the auto repair technician. Don’t leave this task to someone that is on a trial-and-error rampage.
Usually, the best solution is always to spend on a remanufactured transmission. It is generally worth the investment.
Should you need any help with your Dodge Caravan transmission, A1 Performance Auto Repair is just a contact button away.
by Admin | May 4, 2020 | Auto Care Blog |
GMC Savana 2500 is a hard-working van, and that pretty much explains why it’s been giving Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit a run for their money. Even though the formula for the basic utility van has been the same for quite a long time, it has beefed up its powertrain, safety and technology. The 2019 model comes with advanced safety features.
Regardless, GMC Savana 2500 has been subject to a few engine problems. Here are some of the most common.
Some of the GMC Savana 2500 Engine Problems
Transmission getting stuck in the third gear is a common problem with 4L60E and 4L65E types of transmission. There may be a malfunction with the instrument cluster with DTC set at P0753, P0740, P1860 and P0785.
The most likely culprit is open on circuit 1020 between the transmission and fuse panel or a blown fuse. If the fuse happens to have no battery voltage, you may need to replace the ignition switch.
An abnormally harsh 1-2 shift experienced by 4L60E Transmission RPO M30 may indicate excessive bore wear that holds the regulator valves and TCC isolator. This results in extreme line pressure and the only solution is the replacement of the 4L60E valve body with isolator valves and revised TCC regulator.
When there is no movement when you shift to the third gear or Drive position, it indicates that your GMC Savana 2500 has problems. You will experience regular operation by shifting to 1st, 2nd and reverse gear positions. The obvious solution for this problem is the replacement of forward sprag assembly.
There is another common problem with 4L60E Transmission and 4L65E Transmission. The first and third gears seem to function correctly, but there are problems with the 2nd, 3rd and reverse gears. The solution is to replace the heat-treated 4L60E / 4L65 sun gear. It is a failure of the reaction sun gear.
As always, A1 Performance Auto Repair European Specialists are here to help with any GMC Savana 2500 problems.
by Admin | Apr 26, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
We know how much you love your Grand Cherokee, but its shifting problems can give you quite a headache. Of course, the Jeep brand has been one of the most reliable, especially for off-road adventures, but they are not immune to transmission problems.
Jeep vehicles have been subject to a couple of recalls to address transmission problems. For example, there was a recall that involved up to 160,000 cars toward the end of 2009. They did not have a temperature warning system in the transmission and a faulty park gear led to a recall of more than 250,000 Jeeps in 2005.
Some of the standard Jeep transmission issues included disconnected transmission linkages, rough shifting, cracked clutch plates and selector levers that were loose.
Symptoms of Jeep Transmission Problems
Transmission problems may cause a loud noise when shifting or driving, and some report deteriorating fuel economy. It’s typical for most Jeep owners to ignore these symptoms and hope that they will go away on their own. For them, it’s just a simple inconvenience, but it can create dangerous situations. The Jeep shifting problem can put you and other road users in danger of a crash or the Jeep stalling in the middle of nowhere. You’ll also risk engine fire where the transmission fluid is leaking.
Jeep Transmission Remedies
Typically, the cost of the transmission repair will depend on the problem and its complexity. Small leaks or loose shifter knobs can be repaired in less than an hour by a qualified auto repair technician with favorable pricing, if it isn’t covered under warranty.
However, installing a new Electronic control unit or replacing gears will cost you a few hundred dollars. The last option is usually a replacement transmission, and it can go upwards of $3000. A1 Performance Auto Repair European Specialists will help you with any Jeep transmission issues if your warranty doesn’t cover it.
by Admin | Mar 26, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
Tesla Model S long-range Sedan claims a range of 390 miles. For some time, this was the best battery capacity on the electric car market, but that is no longer the case. General Motors has topped Tesla in that regard. Thus the adage becoming number one is easier than remaining number one proves true.
But what is it all about, and what does it mean for the electric car market? Are we about to see a drop in the price of electric vehicles?
GM’s New Battery and Possible Implications
The new battery can potentially power motor vehicles for up to 400 miles, currently the best range. General Motors hopes to license the battery to other electric vehicle manufacturers to make them affordable. GM’s aggressive plan is to put everyone in an electric vehicle and reduce the effects of global warming.
Ultium, as GM calls the new battery cells, has flat and soft pouches. In contrast, the battery cells from Tesla are hard cylinders that must be in horizontal rows like books stacked in a bookshelf. The benefits of Ultium are that they can take any shape, allowing designers a lot of flexibility, and, therefore, more versatile than the Tesla battery.
The electric vehicle batteries contain cobalt, an expensive component. Ultium includes a small amount of it, without affecting performance. Combined with continued manufacturing improvements, the prices of the battery go down.
GM is optimistic that the current battery improvements will drive the costs below $100 per kilowatt-hour. This is the mark often cited by industry specialists as the threshold that will make electric vehicles genuinely competitive with their fossil-fuel counterparts. The battery makes up a large part of the electric vehicle cost. Bringing this cost down will make the electric-vehicle affordable, and that is what we all want. At least most of us!
by Admin | Mar 20, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
When your car has suffered a loss, whether its body work or mechanical repair, there is an easy way to get through it all. Relax, don’t worry, and just let your mechanic handle it all. It is that easy, providing you make sure your rights are protected.
Handling the Insurance Company
Your insurance company will protect their interests over yours, so they’ll make it look like you have to use their suggestions on a mechanic to fix your vehicle. However, you have the right to use whatever mechanic or body shop you want to use. And you should use your own, if you know your repair shop’s work and they have your best interest at heart.
Your mechanic will recommend that you do what is best for you and your ride. And that is what he will recommend. Your insurance company is going to want to skip things and try to have this done as cheaply as possible. If they are using the mechanic they have under contract, that mechanic is going to do what the insurance company wants done, because they want more insurance business. So, use your own mechanic or find one with excellent reviews.
After you find a shop to fix whatever is wrong with your vehicle, ask them for an estimate. Your insurance company will probably tell you to get estimates from 3 different mechanics, and that’s a good thing. It keeps everyone honest and the estimates will possibly show different ways to get the job done. That’s good to know.
Once you’ve agreed with the insurance company who is going to do the work, leave your vehicle there and let the mechanic deal with the insurance adjuster and the insurance company. You get to sit back and wait for your car to be finished. You don’t have to bother with any of it. Your mechanic is quite skilled in handling it all.
by Admin | Mar 13, 2020 | Auto Care Blog, Uncategorized
High school popularity might be over in most of our lives, but let’s face it. It is still cool to hang with the popular kids, or in this instance, the most popular vehicle. Here is how 2019 panned out for vehicle popularity and it has a few surprises.
2019’s Most Popular Vehicles
Here are the vehicles that sold the most in the year 2019, starting with the big winner and counting down.
- Ford F-Series Sold 896,526
You might be expecting the vehicle with the most sales would look more like a passenger car and not a pickup truck, but here we are. The highest sales numbers goes to the Ford F-Series pickup trucks. People seem to like it for just driving around and running errands, as well as for the hobby farm.
- Ram Pickup Sold 633,694
The model 1500 is a very popular truck and a heavy-duty vehicle for towing, hauling and moving your brother-in-law’s junk into his own place. It’s Ram tough!
- Chevrolet Silverado Sold 575,600
You might be seeing a pattern here. Trucks are very popular, including this light to heavy-duty pickup truck that got surpassed by the Ram 1500.
- Toyota RAV4 Sold 448,071
It’s the 5th generation of the RAV and it’s is one popular SUV, the most popular as luck would have it. And hey, it isn’t a pickup truck! But it is very convenient for any home to have.
- Honda CR-V Sold 384,168
While it’s sales were higher in 2019 than in 2018, it lost its #1 SUV spot to the RAV4.
- Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport Sold 350,447
This was a very popular SUV in 2018, but its sales numbers dropped by 15% in 2019. The odd thing is, it is still very high up on the charts.
Your Vehicle
So, how did you fare? Are you driving one of the most popular vehicles all the cool kids have now?
